What do you think of Elon Musk? Have your say | No thanks
Should I specify X-drive four-wheel drive on my new BMW 320d?
I am about to order a new BMW F30 320d auto Touring and am seriously thinking on including their new four-wheel drive system. BMW advises me it drives by the rear wheels and kicks in when the front start to slip/spin. Am I OK going with this or should I just get a set of winter/snow tyres? Further, I am wondering whether the system will cause excessive tyre wear and also knock the mpg? Your help as usual is much appreciated.
Asked on 16 March 2013 by HB, via email
Answered by
Honest John
X-drive solves the worst of the RWD problem in snow. But the cars really need cold weather tyres in winter as well. I have driven the 120d X-drive and it actually handles better with less understeer than the RWD 1-Series. Very little fuel economy penalty, so well worth having.
Cold-snap snow-how: Advice on coping with the freezing weather, including videos, facts and winter driving advice.
Honest John's Guide To Winter TyresSimilar questions
I was very interested in your answer to MA of Stroud regarding the merits of a winter tyre-shod Porsche Carrera S rear wheel drive against the 4WD version without winter tyres. As I currently drive a Skoda...
I thought you might like to hear that we bought the S-Max you suggested to replace a Land Rover Discovery 3 and can confirm your advice that the winter tyres are definitely much better than 4-wheel-drive...
Reading the comments by TP questioning your experience with winter tyres prompted me to send you my thoughts. Having owned a 4x4 Volkswagen Tiguan and feeling this would be the answer to snowy conditions,...
Related models
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Brilliant to drive, powerful and fuel-efficient engines, good interior space and practicality.
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
